LAUDERHILL, Fla. – Some residents of the Castle Gardens condominium complex feel they’re being held hostage by a group of badge-wearing, gun-toting, wannabe police officers. They’re actually security guards for a company called Elite Tactical Services, which was hired by the condo board last year. “What the hell is going on here? We’re not even safe from our own security force?” said resident Stuart Katz.

The company employs heavily armed guards who residents said drive around in unmarked cars with red and white lights and pull over motorists, point guns at people who they feel are acting suspiciously, and use handcuffs. “Guns up here, gun up here, gun here, Taser here. Full tactical gear, some have been in masks,” said Al Sutton, who claims one of the guards pointed a gun at him last month after he questioned why an ETS officer pulled over his son, who was simply coming to pick up his 6-month-old daughter. Read more: